The Cher Show (musical)

The Cher Show is a jukebox musical with a book by Rick Elice that tells the story of the early life and career of Cher. The musical had its world premiere at the Oriental Theatre, Chicago, on June 12, 2018, and opened on Broadway in December 2018. The Original Cast Album was released on digital platforms on April 12, 2019 and was released to physical CD on May 10, 2019. The Cher Show played its final Broadway performance on August 18, 2019.

The Cher Show
Opening Night Broadway Playbill
MusicVarious Artists
LyricsVarious Artists
BookRick Elice
BasisThe life and songs of Cher
PremiereJune 12, 2018 (2018-06-12): Oriental Theatre, Chicago, Illinois
Productions2018 Chicago
2018 Broadway

Productions

The Cher Show made its world premiere at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago, Illinois on June 12, 2018, and officially opened its out of town try-out on June 28 and ran until July 14.[1] The final performance experienced technical difficulties and forced the show to close one day early, on July 14 (Instead of July 15), 2018.[2] Following its Chicago run, the musical began previews on Broadway on November 1, 2018 in previews, and officially opened on December 3, 2018 at the Neil Simon Theatre.[1][3]

The musical's book is by Rick Elice, direction by Jason Moore, choreography by Christopher Gattelli,[3] and orchestrations, arrangements and musical supervision by Daryl Waters. Cher's longtime costumer Bob Mackie is the costume designer, with set designers Christine Jones and Brett J. Banakis, lighting designer Kevin Adams, and sound designer Nevin Steinberg.[4] The producers of the show are Jeffrey Seller, Flody Suarez and Cher.[5]

The Cher Show won Tony Awards for Stephanie J. Block (Lead Actress in a Musical) and for Bob Mackie (Costume Design for a Musical).

The Cher Show ended its run on Broadway on August 18, 2019, having played 34 previews and 296 regular performances. A touring production has been announced to premiere in 2021 after the original launch date of October, 2020 in Rochester, New York was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

Premise

The musical shows three stages of Cher's life and uses three actresses to portray her: “Babe,” “Lady,” and “Star.” Also portrayed are important people in her life, including Bob Mackie, Sonny Bono, and Cher's parents.[4] The musical includes songs from Cher's performing life, including "I Got You Babe", "The Beat Goes On" and "Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves".[7][8]

Cast
Character Workshop (2017)[9] Chicago (2018)[10] Broadway (2018)
Star Lesli Margherita Stephanie J. Block
Lady Lena Hall Teal Wicks
Babe Jillian Mueller Micaela Diamond
Sonny Bono Jarrod Spector
Bob Mackie/Robert Altman/Frank N/A Michael Berresse
Rob Camilletti/Lee Michael Campayno
Gregg Allman/John Southall Matthew Hydzik
Georgia Holt/Lucille Ball Emily Skinner

Musical numbers

† Not featured on Original Broadway Cast Recording

Awards and nominations

Original Broadway production
Year Award Category Nominee Result
2019 Tony Award Best Actress in a Musical Stephanie J. Block Won
Best Costume Design of a Musical Bob Mackie Won
Best Lighting Design of a Musical Kevin Adams Nominated
Drama Desk Award[11] Outstanding Actress in a Musical Stephanie J. Block Won
Outstanding Orchestrations Daryl Waters Nominated
Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical Bob Mackie Won
Outstanding Wig and Hair Design Charles G. LaPointe Won
Drama League Award[12] Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical Nominated
Distinguished Performance Award Stephanie J. Block Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award[13] Outstanding Actress In a Musical Won
Outstanding Choreographer Christopher Gattelli Nominated
Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) Bob Mackie Won
Theatre World Award[14] Outstanding Debut Performance Micaela Diamond Honoree
Chita Rivera Award[15] Ambassadors for the Arts Award Cher, Flody Squarez, Jeffery Seller Honorees
Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show Nominated
Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show Ashley Blair Fitzgerald Won
Artios Award[16] New York Broadway Theatre - Musical Bernie Telsey, Patrick Goodwin Nominated

References
  1. Hetrick, Adam. " 'The Cher Show' Opens in Chicago Ahead of Fall Broadway Arrival" Playbill, June 28, 2018
  2. Hetrick, Adam. "What Happened When The Cher Show Was Forced to Cancel Final Chicago Performance" Playbill, July 16, 2018. Retrieved on October 30, 2018.
  3. McPhee, Ryan. "Micaela Diamond and Teal Wicks Join Stephanie J. Block as Title Role in 'The Cher Show', Full Cast Announced" Playbill, April 17, 2018
  4. McPhee, Ryan. "Bob Mackie Will Create Costumes for Broadway's The Cher Show, Full Design Team Announced" Playbill, March 2018
  5. "Cast" thechershowbroadway.com
  6. Bailey-Millado, Rob. " The Cher Show Announces Closing Date" New York Post, June 26, 2019
  7. The Cher Show thechershowbroadway.com
  8. Rizzo, Frank. "Broadway Review: 'The Cher Show'" Variety, December 3, 2018
  9. "Yes, We Believe in Life After Love! Lesli Margherita, Lena Hall & Jillian Mueller Led a Reading of t…". New York Broadway Tours. January 21, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  10. Evans, Greg (April 17, 2018). "Broadway-Bound 'The Cher Show' Finds Its Chers; Complete Casting Announced". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  11. "Drama Desk Award Nominations 2019: 'Oklahoma!,' 'Tootsie' Lead Nominees List". Forbes. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  12. "THE 85th ANNUAL DRAMA LEAGUE AWARDS NOMINEES". Drama League Awards. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  13. "Hadestown Leads 2019 Outer Critics Circle Nominations". Playbill. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  14. "Jeremy Pope, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Bonnie Milligan, More Earn 2019 Theatre World Awards". Playbill. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  15. "Chita Rivera Awards, Cher and Film Choreography". thefilmexperience.net. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  16. "Casting Society Unveils 2019 TV & Theater Artios Awards Nominees". deadline.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
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